Since the 1990s there has been a conscious and concerted effort by those both inside and outside the health professions to begin to systematically evaluate the quality of delivered health care. It also became necessary, to codify the reasons for inadequate care and health errors, and to make recommendations for system-wide improvement. Health service researchers began to document widespread unexplained variation in care delivered, even by board-certified dentists. In addition, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) published the summaries of phase 2 of their Quality Initiative project. The publications, To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System (1999) and Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century (2001) received widespread and immediate public attention. The IOM also made specific recommendations for change, including the goals that care should be safe, effective, efficient, equitable, patient-centered, and timely. These two reports accelerated calls for change in dental education, how care is delivered, and how certified dentists are evaluated throughout their careers.

The American Dental Association Council on Dental Education and Licensure, in their document, Requirements for Recognition of National Certifying Boards for Dental Specialists (2009) states, “Each board shall encourage its Diplomates to engage in lifelong learning and continuous quality improvement.”

When do I need to get started and what do I have to do to complete the ROC-P program?

Upon payment of your Annual Diplomate Renewal and credentials form you will automatically be enrolled in ROC-P and the continuous process will begin. Requirements are linked to your current certificate. The BEST way to find out WHAT you need to do and WHEN, log on at www.abpd.org, go to the ROC-P home page, register with your password and ID and your ‘My Portfolio’ page will show. Your personal account will be updated with your requirements. In addition, the America Board of Pediatric Dentistry will periodically send automated quarterly e-mails to remind you at appropriate times of your ROC-P requirements.

Yes! Successful completion the ROC exam and the CQI's will award CE hours.

Is the ROC examination the same examination that I took for initial certification?

No. The ABPD ROC-P Subcommittee has made the ROC examination clinically focused and allows the Diplomate to validate their continued in-depth knowledge and competency in pediatric dentistry and presently has 50 questions in an open book format.

How often do I have to complete the ROC examination?

At this time, ROC-P requires you to successfully complete the ROC examination once every 10 years.

When will I receive my examination results?

You will receive immediate results after completing the examination. Successful completion of the ROC examination will automatically be recorded in on your dashboard.